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GLORYHAMMER
Return To The Kingdom Of Fife
Napalm Records
www.gloryhammer.com

Hailing from the no-so-distance Kingdom of Fife, the mighty GLORYHAMMER have returned with another album loaded with power, majesty, and adventure. Return to the Kingdom of Fife is the band's fourth studio album, and a call back to their decade old debut album Kingdom of The Fife (2013). This is GLORYHAMMER's first album with vocalist Sozos Michael, who took over the Angus McFife character.

To get into the lore that is GLORYHAMMER would take at least a fortnight. The short version is, each band member represents a different character within the stories being told on their albums. For Return To The Kingdom Of Fife, our heroes find themselves on a quest to defeat the evil double wizards that have brought darkness and suffering to the land.

The rapid fire double kick drums and piercing, brassy keyboards on "Holy Flaming Hammer of The Unholy Cosmic Frost" are just as immense as its tale of reclaiming the kingdom with the help of the Holy Flaming Hammer. The kingdom they once knew has been turned into the wasteland of "Imperium Dundaxia". The evil wizard makes his presence known with dark and ominous vocals that contrast well with the bright and uplifting vocals of Angus McFife.

"Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol" mimics those movie montage themes that follow the hero as they gear up for the final battle. The track is anthemic with plenty of emotion eliciting shifts. "Brothers of Crail" is part drinking song and part fighting song. The monumental battle begins with "Fife Eternal", as GLORYHAMMER unite with other clans to take on the common enemy.

The "Sword Lord of The Goblin Horde" stands between our champions and the "Vaporial Laserblaster of The Pittenweem". While the two songs are separate from each other, the first indicates a bit of danger and doubt ahead. The second of hope and victory.

The album's final track "Maleficus Geminus (Colossus Matrix 38B - Ultimate Invocation of the Binary Thaumaturge)" clocks in at over twelve minutes, and it documents the final clash between good and evil. While the tempo never lets up, the tension and emotion delivered in the music and vocals take many turns. GLORYHAMMER is victorious yet spent by the song's conclusion.

I was never much of a fan of what we old guys call Dungeons & Dragons Metal, but there's something unique about GLORYHAMMER. I never really felt like I was listening to an album of music called Return to The Kingdom of Fife. I felt like I was immersed in a big budget sci-fi/fantasy movie of the same name. There are times where things start to get a little familiar, but overall GLORYHAMMER delivers a soundtrack worthy of any summer blockbuster or viral video game.

4.0 Out Of 5.0

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